Why Are Trees Being Removed from the Thruway?

Have you noticed state work crews removing trees over the past several weeks on the Thruway in the Catskill area?

I've noticed for several weeks on my commute to work as I drive from Poughkeepsie to the radio station in Schenectady every day, that crews have been busy at work removing trees that sit just off the Thruway. I had been trying to figure out what the reason for the tree removal was. Widening the roadway perhaps? That was my initial thought. Well thanks to News Channel 13 of Albany, I recently got my answer. According to wnyt.com, every tree between mile marker 116 and 115 in the Leeds, NY area has been cut down as part of a rock removal and stabilization project to help prevent rocks from falling into the highway.

The project started in early March and is expected to wrap up by the end of October costing an estimated $4.1 million.